Prewhip dollop in packaging

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a preformed dollop that is inserted into a dollop receptacle and a method for using and manufacturing the preformed dollop in the dollop receptacle.

The present invention claims priority on U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/677,204 filed Jul. 30, 2012, which isincorporated herein.

The present invention relates to food products, toppings for foodproducts, more particularly to toppings that can be inserted onto bakerygoods, desserts and beverages, and even more particularly to preformedtoppings that can be packaged in a container and then later applied to abakery good, dessert or beverage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Topping dollops are commonly placed on products to enhance the taste andaesthetics of a product. Topping dollops, such as dairy and non-dairywhipped cream, are commonly placed on beverages (e.g., hot chocolate,coffee, tea, etc.), on bakery goods (e.g., cookies, cupcakes, muffins,etc.) and on desserts (e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, shakes, yogurt,pudding, etc.). Topping dollops are generally inserted onto a foodproduct in one or two ways. One method is to place the topping dollop ona food product by dispensing an emulsion from an aerosol can whereas thenitrous oxide gas mixes with the emulsion during the expelling to createa foam dollop. A second method for placing the topping dollop on a foodproduct is by inserting a non-dairy/dairy product into a pastry bag orapparatus, which may be in a disposable form, and dispense thenon-dairy/dairy product onto the food. In the beverage service industry,a drink or dessert that includes a dollop is typically packaged with adome-shaped lid to provide room and protection for the dollop placed onthe top of the drink or dessert.

The creation of the dollop, depending on its complexity, can be laborintensive and time consuming. For instance, dollops that have complexshapes or configurations, and/or dollops that include additionalingredients (e.g., nuts, sprinkles, syrup, fruits, etc.) can take asignificant amount of time to create. Also, the uniformity of suchdollops can be difficult to duplicate, especially when different peopleare creating such dollops. Furthermore, a facility must maintain aninventory of many different ingredients so that multi-ingredient dollopscan be formed.

In view of the current state of the art, there remains a need to 1)enable dollops to be easily placed on food items, 2) maintain theuniformity of similar shaped and ingredient dollops, 3) reduce the timeand labor for inserting the dollop on a food item, and/or 4) reduce theinventory and space requirements needed to make complex shaped orconfigured dollops, and/or dollops that include additional ingredients.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to toppings for food products, moreparticularly to dollops that can be inserted onto bakery goods, dessertsand beverages, and even more particularly to preformed dollops that canbe packaged in a container and then later applied to a bakery good,dessert or beverage. The composition of the dollop is non-limiting. Thedollop can be made from dairy and/or non-dairy products. Generally thedollop is an icing product, or a whipped product that is formed of dairycream or a dairy cream substitute, or a yogurt or artificial yogurtproduct. In one non-limiting embodiment, the dollop is a whipped productthat is formed of dairy cream or a dairy cream substitute. The amount of“overrun” and the manufacturing process of the dollop is alsonon-limiting. The dollop can be topped with, coated with, and/or includeone or more additional ingredients (e.g., candy, candy bars, liqueurs,chocolate, syrup, fudge, liquid chocolate, liquid caramel, liquidbutterscotch, nuts, sprinkles, bubble gum, fruit, fruit toppings, gummycandy, candy, candy bars, cookies, fudge, brownies, cake dough, cookiedough, etc.) that can be optionally used with the dollop and arenon-limiting. As can be appreciated, the dollop can include additionalingredients (e.g., sweetener, stabilizer, emulsifier, preservative,flavoring, coloring agents, vitamin and minerals, etc.). Furthermore,the size and configuration of the dollop is non-limiting. Onenon-limiting embodiment of the present invention is directed to creatinga dollop in a container that can be shipped to the customer (e.g.,individual consumer, restaurant, grocery store, convenience store, icecream store, school, hospital, university, cafeteria, coffee shop,bakery, food truck owner, ice cream truck owner, food kiosk owner,circus, carnival, fair, amusement park, movie theater, theater, etc.).The preformed dollop can then be placed on a food product prior to or atthe time the food product with the dollop is being sold to a consumer.The creation of the preformed dollop by the dollop manufacturereliminates the need for the customer to create a new dollop for eachproduct that is provided to an end-user customer wherein the foodproduct includes a dollop or that the end-user customer requests adollop to be placed on the food product. As such, the time and labor forthe customer to provide a food product having a dollop to an end-userconsumer is reduced when using the preformed dollops of the presentinvention. As can be appreciated, the customer and end-user consumer canbe the same if the consumer is an individual that is using the dollop ofthe present invention for his/her personal consumption.

In one non-limiting aspect of the present invention, the preformeddollop(s) can be formed at a manufacturing plant. The manufacturing ofthe one or more dollops can be by an automated high speed process;however, this is not required. The preformed dollop is generallypreformed and then inserted into a dollop receptacle, or partially orfully formed in the dollop receptacle. The shape, size and material ofthe dollop receptacle are non-limiting. In one non-limitingconfiguration, the dollop receptacle can be in the shape of a dome thatcan be used as the lid of a cup or container. As such, when the dollopreceptacle is used as a lid and placed on the cup or container thatcontains a food product, the preformed dollop is placed on the foodproduct at the time the dollop receptacle is inserted on the cup orcontainer. Such a cup or container arrangement facilitates in the easeand convenience of placing a dollop on a food product. In addition, theuse of the dollop receptacle as a packaging container in a manufacturingplant facilitates in the containing, protecting and shipping of thepreformed dollop to a customer (e.g., individual consumer, restaurant,grocery store, convenience store, ice cream store, school, hospital,university, cafeteria, coffee shop, bakery, food truck owner, ice creamtruck owner, food kiosk owner, circus, carnival, fair, amusement park,movie theater, theater, etc.). The size and shape of the dollopreceptacle can be selected for placement on various sized and configuredcup and containers. The dollop receptacle can be formed of a clear,opaque and/or colored material. The dollop receptacle can be formed ofpaper board, plastic, metal, etc. The shape of the dollop receptacle isnon-limiting (e.g., dome-shaped, etc.).

In another and/or alternative non-limiting aspect of the presentinvention, the dollop receptacle can be optionally sealed so as to 1)enhance the shelf life of the preformed dollop, 2) enhance therefrigeration life of the preformed dollop, and/or 3) function as asealed receptacle to freeze the preformed dollop. The seal can bedesigned to be a removable seal to enable the seal to be removed fromthe dollop receptacle prior to the dollop being removed from and/orreleased from the dollop receptacle and/or prior to the dollopreceptacle being inserted onto a cup or container; however, this is notrequired. When a removable seal is used, the removable seal can be athin layer of a material (plastic film, aluminum layer, paper layer,etc.). The removable seal can be secured to the dollop receptacle in avariety of different ways (e.g., adhesive, melted seam, compression fit,snap fit, etc.). The removable seal can optionally include a tab thatcan be grasped by a user to facilitate in the removal of the removableseal from the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.Generally, the thickness of the removable seal is the same or less thanthe thickness of the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.In another non-limiting arrangement, the dollop receptacle and theremovable seal are formed of a material that inhibits or prevents thepermeation of gas and/or liquid through the dollop receptacle and theremovable seal; however, this is not required. In such an arrangement,the removable seal, when secured to the dollop receptacle, can form agas (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, air, CO₂, water vapor, etc.) and/or liquid(e.g., water, etc.) impermeable seal and/or barrier so that the liquidand/or a gas is inhibited and/or cannot enter into and/or escape fromthe region wherein the dollop is contained in the dollop receptacle;however, this is not required. The removable seal can also oralternatively be used to 1) inhibit or prevent contamination and/orspoilage of the dollop contained in the dollop receptacle, 2) inhibit orprevent damage to the dollop contained in the dollop receptacle, and/or3) facilitate in maintaining the dollop in the dollop receptacle whilethe removable seal is secured to the dollop receptacle; however, this isnot required. The removable seal can optionally include color, colorcodes, pictures, texture, and/or printed material to facilitate inidentifying the type, flavor, etc. of dollop that is contained in thedollop receptacle; however, this is not required.

In still another and/or alternative non-limiting aspect of the presentinvention, the dollop receptacle can be designed to facilitate inenabling the preformed dollop to be released from the dollop receptaclewhen the dollop receptacle is placed on a cup or container; however,this is not required. In this non-limiting arrangement, the dollopreceptacle is used as a lid on the cup or container. In one non-limitingembodiment, a portion or all of the inner surface of the dollopreceptacle can be formed of a material and/or be coated with a material(e.g., release agent, etc.) that facilitates in the release of thepreformed dollop by gravity once the dollop receptacle is placed on acup or container; however, this is not required. In another and/oralternative non-limiting embodiment, a portion of the dollop receptaclecan include a compression point that, upon being depressed by a user,causes and/or facilitates in the preformed dollop being released fromthe dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. The compressionpoint, when used, can be located in one or more locations on the dollopreceptacle. In one non-limiting arrangement, the compression point islocated at the central bottom region of the dollop receptacle. In stillanother and/or alternative non-limiting embodiment, the dollopreceptacle can include a bottom opening that is covered by a removableseal and/or penetrable seal. The removal of the seal can allow animplement, such as a straw, spoon, rod, etc., to be inserted into thebottom opening and press against a portion of the preformed dollop tocause or facilitate in the preformed dollop releasing from the innersurface of the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.Alternatively, when the seal is a penetrable seal, an implement such asa straw, spoon, rod, etc. can be inserted through the seal and into thebottom opening so as to press against a portion of the preformed dollopto cause or facilitate in the preformed dollop to release from the innersurface of the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. Oncethe preformed dollop has been released from the dollop receptacle, theopening can optionally be used by a consumer to consume the food productvia a straw, spoon or the like, while the dollop receptacle remains onthe cup or container; however, this is not required. The removable sealfor the bottom opening can be designed to reseal the bottom opening oranother removable seal can be used to reseal the bottom opening;however, this is not required. When a removable seal and/or penetrableseal are used, the removable seal and/or penetrable seal can be a thinlayer of a material (plastic film, aluminum layer, paper layer, etc.).The removable seal and/or penetrable seal can be secured to the dollopreceptacle in a variety of different ways (e.g., adhesive, melted seam,compression fit, snap fit, etc.). The removable seal and/or penetrableseal can optionally include a tab that can be grasped by a user tofacilitate in the removal of the removable seal and/or penetrable sealfrom the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. Generally,the thickness of the removable seal and/or penetrable seal is the sameor less than the thickness of the dollop receptacle; however, this isnot required. In another non-limiting arrangement, the dollop receptacleand the removable seal and/or penetrable seal are formed of a materialthat inhibits or prevent the permeation of gas and/or liquid through thedollop receptacle and the removable seal and/or penetrable seal;however, this is not required. In such an arrangement, the removableseal and/or penetrable seal, when secured to the dollop receptacle, canform a gas (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, air, CO₂, water vapor, etc.) and/orliquid (e.g., water, etc.) impermeable seal and/or barrier so that theliquid and/or a gas is inhibited and/or cannot enter into and/or escapefrom the bottom opening of dollop receptacle; however, this is notrequired. The removable seal and/or penetrable seal can also oralternatively be used to 1) inhibit or prevent contamination and/orspoilage of the dollop contained in the dollop receptacle, 2) inhibit orprevent damage to the dollop contained in the dollop receptacle, and/or3) facilitate in maintaining the dollop in the dollop receptacle whilethe removable seal and/or penetrable seal is secured to the dollopreceptacle; however, this is not required. The removable seal and/orpenetrable seal can optionally include color, color codes, pictures,texture, and/or printed material to facilitate in identifying the type,flavor, etc. of dollop that is contained in the dollop receptacle;however, this is not required.

In yet another and/or alternative non-limiting aspect of the presentinvention, the interior surface of the dollop receptacle that receivesthe dollop can include surface features (e.g., ribs, grooves,depressions, etc.) that are used to 1) create a certain shape andconfiguration of the preformed dollop, and/or 2) facilitate in therelease of the preformed dollop from the dollop receptacle; however,this is not required. In one non-limiting arrangement, the dollopreceptacle includes surface features that create a dollop that has anouter surface when released from the dollop receptacle that resembles aswirl design or configuration. As can be appreciated, the dollopreceptacle can include other surface features that create a dollop thathas an outer surface when released from the dollop receptacle thatresembles other shapes (e.g., cone shape, dome shape, etc.).

In still yet another and/or alternative non-limiting aspect of thepresent invention, a dollop can be formed in a dollop receptacle, sealedin the dollop receptacle and then sold to a customer to enable thecustomer to sell the individual dollop receptacles to a consumer and toenable the customer or consumer to cause the preformed dollop to beinserted onto or dropped onto a food product in a cup or containerwithout having to touch the preformed dollop; however, this is notrequired. The preformed dollop can be vacuum sealed in the dollopreceptacle; however, this is not required. The preformed dollop can befrozen in the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. Thepreformed dollop can be refrigerated in the dollop receptacle; however,this is not required. The dollop receptacle can be a disposable orreusable receptacle.

In another and/or alternative non-limiting aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided a method for mass-producing dollops thatare packaged in a dollop receptacle in which dollops have a consistentsize, shape, volume and quality. The type of manufacturing process isnon-limiting. The manufacturing process can be automated,semi-automated, or manual.

In still another and/or alternative non-limiting aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided a receptacle arrangement that includes aplurality of dollop receptacles that are releasably connected together;however, this is not required. Such an arrangement enables a pluralityof dollop receptacles to be shipped to a customer, and the customer canthen detach individual dollop receptacles that contain a preformeddollop from the receptacle arrangement as needed. This arrangement canfacilitate in the shipping of a plurality of dollop receptacles from amanufacturer to a customer. The individual dollop receptacles can bereleasably connected to a sheet of dollop receptacles by various means(e.g., adhesive releasably connection, detachable serrated or slottedconnection, tearable seam, etc.); however, this is not required. As canbe appreciated, the individual dollop receptacles can be optionallyseparated from the sheet of dollop receptacles by cutting an individualdollop receptacle from the sheet of dollop receptacles; however, this isnot required. The sheet of dollop receptacles that is formed of aplurality of dollop receptacles can have the same type of preformeddollops (e.g., same size/shape/color/flavor/toppings, etc.) or can havedifferent types of preformed dollops in the dollop receptacles. Thesheet of dollop receptacles can optionally include color, color codes,pictures, texture, and/or printed material to facilitate in identifyingthe type, flavor, etc. of dollop that is contained in each of the dollopreceptacles; however, this is not required.

The present invention has several benefits over the current state of theart of forming dollops on a food product. Several of these advantagesare mentioned above. Additional non-limiting advantages include 1) theelimination of the need for the server to use an aerosol can to make afree-form dollop, 2) the elimination of the need for bulk plantpackaging of whipped products in a pastry bag to later have a server usethe pastry bag to make a free-form dollop, 3) providing a customer witha prewhipped and preformed dollop, 4) the reduction of labor required toinsert a dollop on a food product, 5) the reduction of skilled laborrequired to form a free-form dollop on a food product, and/or 6) themass production of preformed dollops by an automated or semi-automatedmanufacturing process. Other advantages of the invention include a)providing the customer with a designed, formed single serve dollopwithout any secondary operation required by the server, b) reuse of thedollop receptacle as a container lid, c) reduction or elimination ofcontact of the dollop by a server when inserting the dollop on the foodproduct, d) allowing the dollops to be purchased by a consumer forconsumption at a later date, and/or e) allowing for easy storage of thepreformed dollop. The present invention encompasses a dollop deliverysystem which assists in the manufacture, packaging, storing, shippingand/or dispensing of the dollop. The dollop can be mass produced in theplant in a variety of easy-to-ship packaging. The preformed dollops canbe frozen in the plant before shipping. The dollops can be designed,customized and fully decorated at the plant before shipping thepreformed dollops to the customer.

It is one non-limiting objective of the invention to provide a preformeddollop that can be easily placed on food items.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide apreformed dollop that can maintain the uniformity of similar shaped andingredient dollops.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a preformed dollop that can reduce the time and labor forinserting the dollop on a food item.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a preformed dollop that can reduce the inventory and spacerequirements needed to make complex shaped or configured dollops, and/ordollops that include additional ingredients.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a preformed dollop that can eliminate the need for the server touse an aerosol can to make a free-form dollop.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide apreformed dollop that can eliminate the need for bulk plant packaging ofwhipped products in a pastry bag to later have a server use the pastrybag to make a free-form dollop.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a preformed dollop that can provide a customer with apre-whipped and preformed dollop.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a preformed dollop that can reduce the labor required to inserta dollop on a food product.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a preformed dollop that can reduce the skilled labor required toform a free-form dollop on a food product.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide apreformed dollop that can be mass produced by an automated orsemi-automated manufacturing process.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a preformed designed, formed single serve dollop to a customerwithout any secondary operation by the server.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that can be used as a container lid once thedollop is released for the dollop receptacle.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that can be connected to a container priorto or after the preformed dollop is released into the container.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide adollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop that can be used toreduce or eliminate of contact of the dollop by a server when insertingthe dollop on a food product.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop that canallow the preformed dollops to be purchased by a consumer forconsumption at a later date.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop that canallow for easy storage of the preformed dollop.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop that can bemass produced, packaged and shipped to a consumer.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide adollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop that can be designed,customized and fully decorated at a manufacturing plant before shippingthe preformed dollops to the customer.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop thatenhances the shelf life of the preformed dollop.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop thatenhances the refrigeration life of the preformed dollop.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop thatfunctions as a sealed receptacle to freeze the preformed dollop.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that includes a removable seal to enable theseal to be removed from the dollop receptacle prior to the dollop beingremoved from and/or released from the dollop receptacle and/or prior tothe dollop receptacle being inserted onto a cup or container.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide adollop receptacle that includes a removable seal having a tab that canbe grasped by a user to facilitate in the removal of the removable sealfrom the dollop receptacle.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that includes a removable seal that isformed of a material that inhibits or prevents the permeation of gasand/or liquid through the removable seal.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that is formed of a material that inhibitsor prevent the permeation of gas and/or liquid through the dollopreceptacle.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that includes a removable seal that 1)inhibits or prevents contamination and/or spoilage of the dollop iscontained in the dollop receptacle, 2) inhibits or prevents damage tothe dollop is contained in the dollop receptacle, and/or 3) facilitatesin maintaining the dollop in the dollop receptacle while the removableseal is secured to the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that includes a removable seal that includescolor, color codes, pictures, texture, and/or printed material tofacilitate in identifying the type, flavor, etc. of dollop that iscontained in the dollop receptacle.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide adollop receptacle that is designed to facilitate in enabling thepreformed dollop to be released from the dollop receptacle when thedollop receptacle is placed on a cup or container.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that has a portion or all of the innersurface of the dollop receptacle formed of a material and/or be coatedwith a material (e.g., release agent, etc.) that facilitates in therelease of the preformed dollop by gravity once the dollop receptacle isplaced on a cup or container.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that includes one or more compression pointsthat, upon being depressed by a user, causes and/or facilitates in thepreformed dollop releasing from the dollop receptacle.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that includes a bottom opening that iscovered by a removable seal and/or penetrable seal that allows animplement such as a straw, spoon, rod, etc. to be inserted into thebottom opening and press against a portion of the preformed dollop tocause or facilitate in the preformed dollop releasing from the innersurface of the dollop receptacle.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide adollop receptacle that includes a bottom opening that allows a consumerto consume the food product through the bottom opening via a straw,spoon or the like while the dollop receptacle remains on the cup orcontainer.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that includes a bottom opening having aremovable seal for the bottom opening that can be resealed to the bottomopening

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that includes a bottom opening having aremovable seal for the bottom opening wherein the removable seal and/orpenetrable seal can optionally include a tab that can be grasped by auser to facilitate in the removal of the removable seal and/orpenetrable seal from the dollop receptacle.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that includes a bottom opening having aremovable seal for the bottom opening wherein the removable seal and/orpenetrable seal is formed of a material that inhibits or prevents thepermeation of gas and/or liquid through the removable seal and/orpenetrable seal.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide adollop receptacle that includes a bottom opening having a removable sealfor the bottom opening wherein the removable seal and/or penetrable sealis designed to 1) inhibit or prevent contamination and/or spoilage ofthe dollop contained in the dollop receptacle, 2) inhibit or preventdamage to the dollop contained in the dollop receptacle, and/or 3)facilitate in maintaining the dollop in the dollop receptacle while theremovable seal and/or penetrable seal is secured to the dollopreceptacle.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that includes a bottom opening having aremovable seal for the bottom opening wherein the removable seal and/orpenetrable seal that includes color, color codes, pictures, texture,and/or printed material to facilitate in identifying the type, flavor,etc. of dollop that is contained in the dollop receptacle.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a dollop receptacle that includes an interior surface designedto receive the dollop and which interior surface includes surfacefeatures (e.g., ribs, grooves, depressions, etc.) that are used to 1)create a certain shape and configuration of the preformed dollop, and/or2) facilitate in the release of the preformed dollop from the dollopreceptacle.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention toprovide a plurality of dollop receptacles that are releasably connectedtogether.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide apreformed dollop that substantially maintains its shape after beingremoved from the dollop receptacle.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon reading and following the description takentogether with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference may now be made to the drawings which illustrate informationrelated to non-limiting embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of one non-limiting dollop receptaclefilled with a food product in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top elevation view of the dollop receptacle of FIG. 1wherein the removable seal is being removed;

FIG. 4 illustrates the step of inserting the dollop receptacle onto acontainer;

FIG. 5 illustrates the step of disengaging the food product in thedollop receptacle into a container after the dollop receptacle isinserted onto the container;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a dispensed dollop in a container;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of another non-limiting dollopreceptacle filled with a food product in accordance with the presentinvention that includes a removable seal over a bottom opening of thedollop receptacle;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section view along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the dollop receptacle of FIG. 7inserted onto a container and a straw is inserted through a bottomopening of the dollop receptacle;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of another non-limiting dollopreceptacle in accordance with the present invention that includes apiercable seal over a bottom opening of the dollop receptacle;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of a sheet that includes a pluralityof dollop receptacles that are releasably connected together;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section view along lines 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 illustrates the step of inserting a dollop topping into thedollop receptacle;

FIG. 14 illustrates the step of inserting a dollop into the dollopreceptacle;

FIG. 15 illustrates the step of inserting a removable seal over the topopening of the dollop receptacle; and,

FIG. 16 illustrates the step of refrigerating or freezing the dollopreceptacle that includes a food product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposeof illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for thepurpose of limiting the same, FIGS. 1-16 illustrate non-limitingembodiments of the dollop receptacle in accordance with the presentinvention. The preformed dollop D that is contained in the dollopreceptacle 100 is designed to conveniently provide a preformed dollop toa consumer. The dollop receptacle of the present invention has severaladvantages that include, but are not limited to, 1) the elimination ofthe need for the server to use an aerosol can to make a free-formdollop, 2) the elimination of the need for bulk plant packaging ofwhipped products in a pastry bag to later have a server use the pastrybag to make a free-form dollop, 3) providing a customer with aprewhipped and preformed dollop, 4) the reduction of labor required toinsert a dollop on a food product, 5) the reduction of skilled laborrequired to form a free-form dollop on a food product, 6) the massproduction of preformed dollops by an automated or semi-automatedmanufacturing process, 7) providing the customer with a designed, formedsingle serve dollop without any secondary operation required by theserver, 8) reuse of the dollop receptacle as a container lid, 9)reduction or elimination of contact of the dollop by the server wheninserting the dollop on the food product, 10) allowing the dollops to bepurchased by a consumer for consumption at a later date, 11) allowingfor easy storage of the preformed dollop, 12) providing a dollopdelivery system which assists in the manufacture, packaging, storing,shipping and/or dispensing of the dollop, 13) allowing a dollop to bemass produced in the plant in variety of easy to ship packaging, 14)allowing preformed dollops to be frozen in the plant before shipping,and/or 15) allowing dollops to be designed, customized and fullydecorated at the plant before shipping the preformed dollops to thecustomer.

The dollop receptacle 100 can include any type of food product. As isillustrated in FIG. 1, the food product is a dollop D that is used as atopping for bakery goods, desserts and beverages. The composition of thedollop is non-limiting. The dollop can be made from dairy and/ornon-dairy products. Generally, the dollop is an icing product, or awhipped product that is formed of dairy cream or a dairy creamsubstitute, or a yogurt or artificial yogurt product. For example, thedollop can be a whipped product that is formed of dairy cream or a dairycream substitute. The dollop can be topped with, coated with, and/orinclude one or more additional ingredients T. Such additionalingredients include, but are not limited to, candy, candy bars,liqueurs, chocolate, syrup, fudge, liquid chocolate, liquid caramel,liquid butterscotch, nuts, sprinkles, bubble gum, fruit, fruit toppings,gummy candy, candy, candy bars, cookies, fudge, brownies, cake dough,and/or cookie dough. The size and configuration of the dollop isnon-limiting. The dollop receptacle that includes the dollop D can beused to eliminate the need for the customer to create a new dollop foreach product that is provided to a end-user customer. As such, the timeand labor for the customer to provide a food product having a dollop toan end-user consumer is reduced when using the preformed dollops in thedollop receptacle of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the dollop receptacle includes a body 110that has a top end 120 and a bottom end 130. The top end includes a topopening 122 that opens into a cavity 140 in the body of the dollopreceptacle. Cavity 140 is designed to receive the dollop D when packagedin the dollop receptacle. A removable seal 200 is used to fully coverthe top opening 122 and seals the dollop in the cavity 140. Theremovable seal 200 can be formed of any type of material (e.g., paper,plastic, metal, etc.). The thickness of the removable seal 200 isgenerally less than the thickness of body 110; however, this is notrequired. The removable seal can include printed information and/or havea certain color; however, this is not required. Such information and/orcolor can be used to provide information about the dollop in the dollopreceptacle; however, this is not required. The removable seal generallyforms an air-tight and/or water-tight seal with the body of the dollopreceptacle; however, this is not required. The removable seal can beconnected to the body and/or other portions of the dollop receptacle(e.g., container rim when used, etc.) by any number of arrangements(e.g., adhesive, melted seam, friction or compression fit, snap fit,etc.). The removable seal can optionally include a tab 202 that can beused to facilitate in the removal of the removable seal from the bodyand/or other portions of the dollop receptacle. Generally, the tab, whenused, is designed so that a use can easily grasp the tab and then pullthe tab to cause the removable seal to be torn from or otherwisereleased from the body and/or other portions of the dollop receptacle.The size and shape and location of the tab on the removable seal isnon-limiting. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the removable seal can be peeledback from the body of the dollop receptacle as indicated by the arrow bya user grasping the tab and then pulling back on the tab. As can beappreciated, the removable seal can be partially or fully removed inother or additional ways.

The dollop receptacle can optionally include a container flange 150 thatis designed to engage an outer surface of a rim of a food receptacle(e.g., cup, container, etc.) to enable the dollop receptacle to beremovably or non-removably secured to the rim of the food receptacle. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, the container flange 150 includes a rim 152 thatextends generally outwardly from body 100 and a container flange 154extends at least partially upwardly from the end region of the rim. Theshape and side of the rim and container flange is non-limiting. Thecontainer flange can include a dimple region 156 that curves inwardly;however, this is not required. The dimpled region, when used, can beused to facilitate in maintaining the dollop receptacle on a containerand/or to facilitate in maintaining the removable seal on the body ofthe dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, there is illustrated a non-limiting methodfor inserting the dollop D onto the top of a food product (e.g., icecream, pudding, bakery product, parfait, frozen yogurt or custard, etc.)or a liquid product L (float, shake, coffee, tea, slush or icee, soda,milk, etc.) that is located in a container or cup C. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the dollop receptacle that includes the dollop D has theremovable seal removed from the body of the dollop receptacle. Asindicated by the arrow in FIG. 4, the dollop receptacle is flipped overand placed onto the container rim CR of the container as illustrated inFIG. 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the container flange 150 is fitted onto thecontainer rim CR to secure the dollop receptacle to the container.During or after the dollop receptacle is connected to the container, thedollop releases from the inner surface 112 of the body 110 of the dollopreceptacle and relocates itself on the food product or liquid product inthe container as indicated by one of the arrows in FIG. 5. The bottomend 130 of the body can optionally include a tactile surface region 132that is a depressible region on the body of the dollop receptacle. Thetactile surface region, when use, is designed to enable an individual topress down on the tactile surface region to thereby cause the bodyportion to slightly contort, thereby facilitating the release of thedollop from the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle. Theinner surface of the body can optionally be formed of a material and/orinclude surface features (i.e., smooth surface, non-porous surface,non-stick surface) that facilitates in the release of the dollop fromthe inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle. Also oralternatively, the inner surface of the body can optionally be coatedwith a release agent 160 that facilitates in the release of the dollopfrom the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle. Thecomposition of the release agent and the thickness of the release agentlayer are non-limiting.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the dollop receptacle is removed from thecontainer after the dollop is released from the dollop receptacle on thefood product or liquid product in the container.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, a modification to the dollop receptacle ofFIGS. 1-5 is illustrated. Many of the features of the dollop receptacleof FIGS. 7-9 are the same as the dollop receptacle of FIGS. 1-5, thusthe same reference numbers for the same features of the dollopreceptacle will be used. As can be appreciated, the similar features onthe dollop receptacle function similarly, thus will be not repeatedherein. The bottom end 130 of the dollop receptacle includes a bottomopening 134. The size of the bottom opening is generally smaller thanthe top opening 122. Generally, the bottom opening is located in thecenter of the bottom end 130; however, this is not required. A bottomremovable seal 300 fully overlies the bottom opening 134. Generally thebottom removable seal fully covers the bottom opening 134. The bottomremovable seal can be formed of any type of material (e.g., paper,plastic, metal, etc.). The composition of the bottom removable seal 300and removable seal 200 can be the same or different. The thickness ofthe bottom removable seal is generally less than the thickness of body110; however, this is not required. The bottom removable seal caninclude printed information and/or have a certain color; however, thisis not required. Such information and/or color can be used to provideinformation about the dollop in the dollop receptacle; however, this isnot required. The bottom removable seal generally forms an air-tightand/or water-tight seal with the body of the dollop receptacle; however,this is not required. The bottom removable seal can be connected to thebody of the dollop receptacle by any number of arrangements (e.g.,adhesive, melted seam, friction or compression fit, snap fit, etc.). Thebottom removable seal can optionally include a tab 302 that can be usedto facilitate in the removal of the bottom removable seal from the bodyof the dollop receptacle. Generally, the tab, when used, is designed sothat a user can easily grasp the tab and then pull the tab to cause thebottom removable seal to be torn from or otherwise released from thebody of the dollop receptacle. The size and shape and location of thetab on the removable seal are non-limiting.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, the body 110 of the dollop receptacleoptionally includes a plurality of surface structures 114. The number ofsurface structures, when used, is non-limiting. The shape of the each ofthe surface structures is non-limiting. The surface structures can haveone or more functions. Non-limiting functions includes 1) form anaesthetically pleasing look to the dollop receptacle, 2) cause the outersurface of the dollop receptacle to look like a certain shape, 3)facilitate in the grasping of the body of the dollop receptacle, 4)facilitate in the release and/or adhesion of the dollop to the innersurface of the body of the dollop receptacle, and/or 5) to facilitate increating a shape of the dollop when inserted into the cavity of thedollop receptacle.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the dollop receptacle is illustrated as beingsecured to container C. The method for securing the dollop receptacle tothe container can be a similar method as previously described above withreference to FIGS. 1-5. Prior to, during, or after the dollop receptacleis connected to the container, the bottom removable seal 300 ispartially or fully removed from the body of the dollop receptacle. Oncethe bottom removable seal 300 is partially or fully removed from thebody, a straw S, spoon, etc. can be optionally inserted through thebottom opening 134. If the dollop has not been fully released from theinner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle, straw S, spoon, etc.can be inserted into the bottom opening used to facilitate in therelease of the dollop from the inner surface of the body of the dollopreceptacle. As can be appreciated, other or additional implements can beinserted into the bottom opening to facilitate in the release of thedollop from the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle. Ascan be appreciated, the dollop receptacle can be removed from thecontainer as discussed with respect to FIG. 6 once the dollop has beenreleased from the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle andonto the food product L in the container. As illustrated in FIG. 9, thefood product in the container that includes the dollop can be consumedwhile the dollop receptacle is secured to the container via the straw orother implement. As also illustrated in FIG. 9, the outer surface of thedollop includes surface features SF that are optionally caused and/orformed by the surface structures 114 in the body of the dollopreceptacle.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the bottom removable seal 300 is not aremovable seal, but instead is a piercable seal. The dollop receptacleis similar to the dollop receptacle described in FIGS. 7-9 except thatthe dollop receptacle is absent the optional surface structures 114 inthe body of the dollop receptacle and the bottom removable seal 300 is apiercable seal, not a removable seal. A straw S is illustrated aspiercing bottom removable seal 300; however, it can be appreciated thatother or additional implements can be used to partially or fully piercebottom removable seal 300. As described with respect the dollopreceptacle illustrated in FIG. 9, the straw or other implement can beused to 1) facilitate in the release of the dollop from the innersurface of the body of the dollop receptacle, and/or 2) consume the foodproduct in the container while the dollop receptacle is secured to thecontainer.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-12, a plurality of the dollop receptacles canoptionally be releasably connected together. A sheet of removable seal200 can be used to secure the plurality of the dollop receptacles. Ascan be appreciated, the plurality of the dollop receptacles can bereleasably connected together by other or additional means. The sheet ofremovable seal 200 can optionally include slots, serrations 204, etc.that are used to facilitate in the separation of the plurality of thedollop receptacles from one another. As can be appreciated, the sheet ofremovable seal 200 can be cut by scissors or some other type of cuttingimplement to separate the plurality of the dollop receptacles from oneanother. The dollop receptacles are illustrated as optionally includinga rim 152. When a dollop receptacle is separated form one or more otherdollop receptacles, the portion of the sheet of removable seal 200 thatextends form the top edge of body 110 or rim 152 can optionally functionas a tab 202 as previously described above.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-16, one non-limiting method for forming adollop receptacle that includes a dollop is illustrated. As illustratedin FIG. 13, a dispenser 400 optionally deposits one or more toppings Tinto the cavity 140 of the body of the dollop receptacle. Thedispensement of the one or more toppings into the cavity can be amanual, semi-automated or automated process. As illustrated in FIG. 14,a food F such as, but not limited to, whipped cream is deposited intothe cavity 140 of the body of the dollop receptacle to form dollop D.The dispensement of the food F into the cavity can be a manual,semi-automated or automated process. As illustrated by the arrows, thefood dispenser 500, can optionally move in one or more directions toproperly form the dollop in the cavity of the dollop receptacle. FIG. 15illustrates the insertion of the removable seal 200 over the top openingof the dollop receptacle. The insertion of the removable seal 200 can bea manual, semi-automated or automated process. FIG. 16 illustrates thedollop that is sealed in the dollop receptacle being placed in arefrigerator R or freezer for storage and/or transportation. Therefrigeration and/or freezing of the dollop in the sealed dollopreceptacle facilitates in maintaining the shape of the preformed dollopduring storage, transportation and/or during the removal of the dollopform the dollop receptacle and into container C. One or more of thesteps for inserting the dollop into the dollop receptacle can occur in arefrigerated (e.g., 33-50° F., etc.) or a freezing or sub-freezingenvironment (e.g., −100-32° F.; however, this is not required. Also oralternatively, one or more of the steps for inserting the dollop intothe dollop receptacle can occur in an atmosphere controlled environment(e.g., nitrogen environment, clean room environment, etc.); however,this is not required.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, andsince certain changes may be made in the constructions set forth withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description and shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. The invention has been described with reference topreferred and alternate embodiments. Modifications and alterations willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading andunderstanding the detailed discussion of the invention provided herein.This invention is intended to include all such modifications andalterations insofar as they come within the scope of the presentinvention. It is also to be understood that the following claims areintended to cover all of the generic and specific features of theinvention herein described and all statements of the scope of theinvention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to falltherebetween. The invention has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiments. These and other modifications of the preferredembodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention will beobvious from the disclosure herein, whereby the foregoing descriptivematter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention andnot as a limitation. It is intended to include all such modificationsand alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appendedclaims.

We claim:
 1. A dollop receptacle design to contain a dollop, said dollopreceptacle including a body and a removable seal, said body includes acavity designed to receive the dollop, said top end of said body havinga top opening that provides access to said cavity, said removable sealremovably connected to said top end of said body and fully overlies saidtop opening.
 2. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 1, including acontainer rim that is connected to and positioned on said top end ofsaid body and fully encircles said top opening, said container rimincluding a container flange that is designed to engage an outer surfaceof a rim of a food receptacle to enable said body to be removablysecured to the rim of the food receptacle, said container flangeextending at least partially upwardly from said top end of said body. 3.The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said removable sealincludes a tab, said tab designed to enable a user to easily grasp saidtab and facilitate in the removal of said removable seal from said body.4. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said removableseal has a thickness that is less than a thickness of said body.
 5. Thedollop receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said removable seal isa plastic material that is clear or semi-opaque.
 6. The dollopreceptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein a surface of said cavity thatis designed to contact the dollop is formed of a non-stick material,includes a release agent, or combinations thereof to facilitate in therelease of said dollop from said dollop receptacle.
 7. The dollopreceptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein a surface of said cavity thatis designed to contact the dollop includes one or more surfacestructures that are designed to form a predefined shape on the dollopwhen the dollop is inserted into said cavity.
 8. The dollop receptacleas defined in claim 1, wherein said body includes one or morecompressible contact points that are designed to cause the dollop torelease from said body when pressed by a user after said dollopreceptacle has been placed on or over a food receptacle.
 9. The dollopreceptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said body includes a bottomopening and a bottom removable seal and/or penetrable seal, said bottomopening positioned on a bottom portion of said body, a cross-sectionalarea of said bottom opening being smaller than a cross-sectional area ofsaid top opening, said bottom removable seal and/or penetrable sealconnected to said body and fully overlies said bottom opening.
 10. Thedollop receptacle as defined in claim 9, wherein said bottom removableseal and/or penetrable seal includes a tab, said tab designed to enablea user to easily grasp said tab and facilitate in the removal of saidbottom removable seal and/or penetrable seal from said body.
 11. Thedollop receptacle as defined in claim 9, wherein said bottom removableseal and/or penetrable seal has a thickness that is less than athickness of said body.
 12. A method for inserting a preformed dolloponto a food product in a food receptacle comprising: a. providing a foodreceptacle that includes a food product, said food product including aliquid, semi-liquid or non-liquid food product; b. providing a dollopreceptacle that includes a preformed dollop, said dollop receptacleincluding a body and a removable seal, said body including a cavity thatincludes said preformed dollop, said top end of said body having a topopening that provides access to said cavity, said removable sealremovably connected to said top end of said body and fully overlies saidtop opening; c. removing said removable seal from said body of saiddollop receptacle; d. positioning said dollop receptacle on or over saidfood receptacle such that said top opening is positioned over said foodproduct in said food receptacle; and, e. causing said preformed dollopto release from said body of said dollop receptacle so that saidpreformed dollop is positioned on a top surface of said food product insaid food receptacle.
 13. The method as defined in claim 12, whereinsaid food receptacle includes an upper rim and said body of said dollopreceptacle includes a container rim that is connected to and positionedon said top end of said body and fully encircles said top opening, saidcontainer rim including a container flange that is designed to engage anouter surface of a rim of said food receptacle to enable said body to beremovably secured to the rim of said food receptacle, said containerflange extending at least partially upwardly from said top end of saidbody, and further including the step of removably securing said dollopreceptacle to said rim of said food receptacle after said removable sealis removed from said body of said dollop receptacle.
 14. The method asdefined in claim 12, wherein a surface of said cavity of said body ofsaid dollop receptacle that is designed to contact said preformed dollopis formed of a non-stick material, includes a release agent, orcombinations thereof to facilitate in the release of said dollop fromsaid dollop receptacle.
 15. The method as defined in claim 12, furtherincluding the step of pressing one or more compressible contact pointson an outer surface of said body of said dollop receptacle to cause saidpreformed dollop to release from said body.
 16. The method as defined inclaim 12, wherein said body of said dollop receptacle includes a bottomopening and a bottom removable seal and/or penetrable seal, said bottomopening positioned on a bottom portion of said body, a cross-sectionalarea of said bottom opening being smaller than a cross-sectional area ofsaid top opening, said bottom removable seal and/or penetrable sealconnected to said body and fully overlies said bottom opening.
 17. Adollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop, said dollopreceptacle including a body and a removable seal, said body includes acavity that includes said preformed dollop, said top end of said bodyhaving a top opening that provides access to said cavity, said removableseal removably connected to said top end of said body and fully overliessaid top opening, said preformed dollop sealed in and air-tight andwater-tight environment by said cavity of said body and said removableseal.
 18. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 17, including acontainer rim that is connected to and positioned on said top end ofsaid body and fully encircles said top opening, said container rimincluding a container flange that is designed to engage an outer surfaceof a rim of a food receptacle to enable said body to be removablysecured to the rim of the food receptacle, said container flangeextending at least partially upwardly from said top end of said body.19. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 17, wherein said removableseal includes a tab, said tab designed to enable a user to easily graspsaid tab and facilitate in the removal of said removable seal from saidbody.
 20. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 17, wherein an innersurface of said cavity that contacts said preformed dollop is formed ofa non-stick material, includes a release agent, or combinations thereofto facilitate in the release of said preformed dollop from said dollopreceptacle.
 21. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 17, wherein asurface of said cavity that contacts said preformed dollop includes oneor more surface structures designed to form a predefined shape on saidpreformed dollop while said preformed dollop is inserted into saidcavity.
 22. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 17, wherein saidbody includes one or more compressible contact points that are designedto cause said preformed dollop to release from said body when pressed bya user after said dollop receptacle has been placed on or over a foodreceptacle.
 23. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 17, whereinsaid body includes a bottom opening and a bottom removable seal and/orpenetrable seal, said bottom opening positioned on a bottom portion ofsaid body, a cross-sectional area of said bottom opening being smallerthan a cross-sectional area of said top opening, said bottom removableseal and/or penetrable seal connected to said body and fully overliessaid bottom opening.
 24. A method for forming a preformed dollop in adollop receptacle comprising: a. providing a dollop receptacle design tocontain the dollop, said dollop receptacle including a body, said bodyincludes a cavity designed to receive the dollop, said top end of saidbody having a top opening that provides access to said cavity; b.inserting a dollop into said cavity of said body; and, c. applying aremovable seal to said top end of said body, said removable seal fullyoverlies said top opening, said dollop sealed in an air-tight andwater-tight environment by said cavity of said body and said removableseal.
 25. The method as defined in claim 24, including the step ofrefrigerating or freezing said dollop after said removable seal isapplied to said top end of said body.
 26. The method as defined in claim24, further including the step of adding one or more toppings in saidcavity, said toppings can be added prior to, during, after, orcombinations thereof said dollop being inserted into said cavity. 27.The method as defined in claim 24, wherein said food receptacle includesan upper rim and said body of said dollop receptacle includes acontainer rim that is connected to and positioned on said top end ofsaid body and fully encircles said top opening, said container rimincluding a container flange that is designed to engage an outer surfaceof a rim of a food receptacle to enable said body to be removablysecured to the rim of the food receptacle, said container flangeextending at least partially upwardly from said top end of said body.28. The method as defined in claim 24, wherein a surface of said cavityof said body of said dollop receptacle that is designed to contact saidpreformed dollop is formed of a non-stick material, includes a releaseagent, or combinations thereof to facilitate in the release of saiddollop from said dollop receptacle.
 28. The method as defined in claim24, wherein said body includes one or more compressible contact pointsthat are designed to cause the dollop to release from said body whenpressed by a user after said dollop receptacle has been placed on orover a food receptacle.
 29. The method as defined in claim 24, whereinsaid body of said dollop receptacle includes a bottom opening and abottom removable seal and/or penetrable seal, said bottom openingpositioned on a bottom portion of said body, a cross-sectional area ofsaid bottom opening being smaller than a cross-sectional area of saidtop opening, said bottom removable seal and/or penetrable seal connectedto said body and fully overlies said bottom opening.
 30. A sheet ofdollop receptacles comprising a plurality of dollop receptacle that arereleasably connected together, each of said dollop receptacles includinga body and a removable seal, said body including a cavity that includesa preformed dollop, said top end of said body having a top opening thatprovides access to said cavity, said removable seal removably connectedto said top end of said body and fully overlies said top opening, saidpreformed dollop sealed in and air-tight and water-tight environment bysaid cavity of said body and said removable seal.